Once a bit of a hidden treasure out in the woodland surrounds of South West Derbyshire and capable of slipping under the radar. Now a fully fledged England Golf Championship venue and one that reaches its 125th anniversary in 2019 with a celebratory series of events. No better time to book your society in and find out all that is good about Burton-on-Trent Golf Club.
The golf club is situated by the village of Bretby, just a couple of miles out of town, so you benefit from a nice peaceful rural setting with little in the way of background noise.
Our first time playing at Burton and we weren’t sure what to expect, apart from a classic 18th, viewed many times through the clubhouse window on previous visits to deliver the magazine. It was a hole that didn’t disappoint in the slightest when we finally got the chance to experience it, more on that later.
Every facet of a golfer’s game is tested here and once you’ve trusted your instinct and club selection on a blind first tee shot up the bank it’s the long game that gets the challenge first. The long third initiates a stretch of sizable holes, through the tree lines along the gently undulating fairways which do have occasional natural humps and bumps to just add a little element of chance.
A network of narrow ditches also feature early doors and even though the fairway hugging trees are plentiful, only a few have low hanging branches so there’s usually a pathway through them.
Just to change the theme a little, a very different test resides just after the turn. An exciting trio with two lengthy uphill par threes separated only by the potentially devilish short par four 11th, a sharp left to right dog leg to another sloping green. The short 12th is anything but, you may need to reach for the driver here if the wind is against.
Then the back nine returns in similar fashion to earlier – another bunch of fairly lengthy holes highlighted by the SI 1 14th. A highly demanding tee shot here but get that right and you’ll get a great look at the downhill approach to one of the more contoured greens on the course.
Burton is a very fair course to play, decent variety and in great condition too, they’ve raised their game over the years when it comes to winter golf playability. The putting surfaces are large sized and hold on to a long approach shot impressively, but you’ll need a good short stick out there, they are very nicely contoured too.
Finally to the 18th (main image)– one of the most spectacular closing holes in the region. The tee shot is all about how much you dare to take on as the fairway eventually plunges downhill towards the water hazard, adding length to your drive. Getting a flat lie to play your approach from is a bit of a lottery but a welcome relief if you get one. No amateur golfer enjoys facing a final iron shot over water from a downhill facing lie. Card wrecking territory.
Every eventuality (and disaster too) can be gleefully witnessed from the patio by your society mates if you’ve been unfortunate enough to be drawn in the final group or two – a pressure shot if ever there was one.
CLUBHOUSE
Exciting times lie ahead for Burton-on-Trent Golf Club with a proposed first floor development of the clubhouse planned. In order to bring the facilities inside up to the high standards of the course outside. The former stewards living space is due to be converted into a new Golfers bar facility with a capacity inside of 60-70 people and a rap around balcony giving views out over the 9th, 10th and 18th holes.
The development will be planned around the clubs 125th anniversary year where the club will be holding the England Golf Midlands North Australian Spoons Competition and numerous special anniversary internal/ Open competitions.
DEALS
GOLF DAYS 2019
Society Day Packages start from £39.50 including Breakfast roll and Coffee, 18 holes & an evening meal.
MEMBERSHIP AVAILABLE
5, 6 and 7 day memberships now available. 7 day membership from £86.78 per month
